James Dean Shoults

James Dean Shoults, the son of Elmer Shoults and Audrey (Briggs) Shoults, was born October 14, 1949, in Hartshorn, Missouri. He passed away in Mountain View, Missouri, on March 13, 2026, at the age of 76.

James was united in marriage to Paulette Shoults on August 24, 1979. To this union, one child was born, Paula.

James grew up in the Hartshorn and Summersville, Missouri areas, where he spent much of his life working for Royal Oak Charcoal. He was connected with Valley Center Baptist Church, where he attended as a young boy to early adulthood, but felt closest to the Lord through personal study of his Bible with his wife at home. He was baptized on July 7th, 1957, and rededicated his life to the Lord on February 26th, 2026.

James loved being outdoors and could often be found hunting, working with his hands, or building whatever his grandchildren could dream up. Of all the roles he held in life, his favorite was being “Grandad.” Those who knew him best knew he would never fail to make you smile with his quick wit and charismatic grin.

He was preceded in death by his father, Elmer Shoults, and his mother, Audrey (Briggs) Shoults; his wife, Paulette Shoults; and his siblings, Van, Denver, Donald, Marcella, Charley, and Frankie.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Paula Odom of Austin, Texas; his granddaughter, Emiley Maycock and husband, Shaune, of San Marcos, Texas; his grandson, Ethan Odom of Driftwood, Texas; four great-grandchildren, Macie, Genevieve, Charlotte, and Abigail of San Marcos, Texas; his siblings, David Shoults and wife, Rhonda, of Hartshorn, Missouri, Acleda Menz of Raymondville, Missouri, and Darlene Pethrus and husband, Pierre, of California; as well as a host of nieces and nephews and beloved friends.

James leaves behind a lifetime of memories, laughter, and love that will forever be cherished by those fortunate enough to have known him.